At least once in our lives, we have been victims of those seasons of red noses and handkerchiefs in our pockets. Some of us are more or less vulnerable to drops in temperature, allergies, and flu. Still, whenever there is congestion, there is a risk of suffering from Sinusitis, which is nothing more than the inflammation of the space through which the air passes within the nose, behind the cheeks and eyebrows, cavities called sinuses. When this happens, the mucus has no way of leaving its natural path and becomes trapped, which can be painful. At FastlyHealwe explain the causes, symptoms and treatments of Sinusitis.
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Causes of Sinusitis
An allergy, a common cold, or a cold can be the leading cause of Sinusitis. We feel that our nose is congested, but we also perceive inflammation around the eyes, on the forehead, or behind the cheeks. As a consequence of the congestion of these spaces, tension is present that can become not only uncomfortable. But painful. In addition, by not being able to exit through the sinuses, the mucus can drain through our throat and cause clearing or burning. Sinusitis can also be accompanied by tiredness, cough, mild fever, and chills.
Sinusitis symptoms
Symptoms vary in duration and intensity if what causes nasal congestion is a virus or bacteria. Sinusitis not only traps mucus, but that space is ideal for the life of bacteria, in which cases the symptoms are usually more intense and painful; however, less than 2% of patients belong to this group. On the other hand, viral Sinusitis is the most common; its symptoms are milder, and, usually, it does not last more than a few weeks, which is why it is considered an acute type of Sinusitis. If the condition lasts more than four weeks but less than twelve, it is already considered semi-acute regardless of whether its origin is viral or bacterial. The symptoms in both cases are:
- Headache
- Fever
- General discomfort
- Stuffy and runny nose
- Cough that is worse at night
- Bad breath
- Loss of sense of smell
- Pain behind the eyes
Chronic cases of Sinusitis usually last for several months, and its cause is a bacterium that is reluctant to disappear. It must also be taken into account that sometimes the anatomy of the nose can be a contributor to the condition, such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates, which are long and thin bone structures covered with tissue and located inside our nose.
Treatment for sinusitis
To treat Sinusitis, your doctor might start with a head-on strategy against plugging, such as a saline spray or a decongestant to be used for a short time. If you feel a lot of pain, you may also be prescribed analgesics to keep it at bay. If your Sinusitis is bacterial, the specialist will prescribe antibiotics that you must take exactly. If, on the other hand, the problem is an allergy, the treatment will be aimed at suppressing it, and thus the Sinusitis will disappear.
If symptoms persist despite these treatments, your doctor may refer you to an ENT doctor for more specific procedures, such as an endoscopy, or determine if septum or sinus surgery is necessary.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Sinusitis: causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Lung and respiratory tract category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.